Murderous Hen?!

[ChickenMomma21]

Yesterday morning I lost my favorite hen. I have no idea why as (to my knowledge) she was happy and healthy. By the afternoon I saw my big broody chicken holding my other chicken down with her wing and a second incident of sitting on top of her yesterday and now today. When I found my hen that passed, this broody one was right in front of her.

My question is this: can a chicken that has been broody for a very long time kill other chickens by smothering them? Wouldn't there be signs of a fight?

Please any insight on this is helpful as we are grieving the loss of our girl while trying to protect the others.

 

[Theorrin]

I found one of my hens who had smothered another because they both wanted the same nest box though there was 10 empty others

 

[ChickenMomma21]

I found one of my hens who had smothered another because they both wanted the same nest box though there was 10 empty others

Thank you for answering. These two I had together as chicks (the broody and the one that passed). They did everything together. I would hate to think that she killed the other but it appears to be that way

 

[fluffycrow]

Do you have any photos of her holding the other chicken down? I highly doubt she's smothered the first hen and now is trying for the second

 

[ChickenMomma21]

Do you have any photos of her holding the other chicken down? I highly doubt she's smothered the first hen and now is trying for the second

I don't but now wish I did as it sounds insane but that's what it looked like was happening. I will be sure if I see it again to take pics. They are separated at the moment as she keeps pecking and biting the other one.

 

[nuthatched]

I doubt it. Even if she did hold them down or peck them, it wouldn't kill them unless they're already ill.

 

[aart]

has been broody for a very long time

How long...and why?

I'd put her in a broody breaker crate.

 

[ChickenMomma21]

How long...and why?

I'd put her in a broody breaker crate.

I'm not sure why as these are my first chickens but she's been broody this time for well over a month, maybe two? There's only a few months in the winter when she's not broody. I tried before to break her of this but with all my efforts (ice packs, cool bath, crate separately) it only breaks the brood for a couple weeks then she's right back to it.

 

[aart]

I'm not sure why as these are my first chickens but she's been broody this time for well over a month, maybe two? There's only a few months in the winter when she's not broody. I tried before to break her of this but with all my efforts (ice packs, cool bath, crate separately) it only breaks the brood for a couple weeks then she's right back to it.

Yeah, I've had a few like that, finally gave one away and she never went broody again.

 

[LaFleche]

Thank you for answering. These two I had together as chicks (the broody and the one that passed). They did everything together. I would hate to think that she killed the other but it appears to be that way

You could read the scene quite differently as well:
Her flockmate feeling ill and vulnerable and she trying to protect and comfort her during her passing.

I am sorry you lost your favourite hen.